Guide · updated 2026-08-05
The custom card gift calendar
Every month worth making a card for, what to start when, and which card fits the occasion.
The short answer
Start a custom card gift two to three weeks before the date — the design takes minutes, but choosing the photo takes longer than people expect, and a team order needs about three weeks to collect one photo per player. The year has two peaks: late spring for graduations, Mother's and Father's Day, and end-of-season banquets; then November–December for holiday gifting.
Month by month
January
Start Valentine's cards nowNew-year milestones, winter sports mid-season
February
Order by the first weekValentine's Day, winter senior nights
March
Team Packs for winter sportsSpring season starts, winter banquets
April
Start Mother's Day cardsMother's Day approaches, spring photo days
May
Graduation cards 3 weeks outMother's Day, graduations, spring banquets
June
Father's Day by early JuneFather's Day, weddings, summer trips begin
July
Make trip cards while you're thereVacations, tournaments, family reunions
August
Q4 gift planning starts hereFall sports start, back to school
September
Book the photo, plan the PackFall photo days, club seasons
November
Order holiday gifts this monthFall banquets, holiday shopping begins
December
Order by the first weekChristmas, stocking stuffers, gift exchanges
Whatever month it is, start free.
Designing costs nothing — build the card now and decide later. Organizing a team? Use the team card order planner.
Frequently asked questions
When should I order a custom trading card for a gift?+
Give yourself two to three weeks before the date. Designing takes minutes and is free; what actually takes time is choosing the photo and, for team orders, collecting one photo per player.
What occasions work for a custom trading card?+
Anything with a photo and a story: Valentine's Day, Mother's and Father's Day, graduations, weddings, end-of-season banquets, senior nights, birthdays, new pets, vacations, and the December gift exchanges.
What's the busiest time of year for custom cards?+
Two peaks — late spring for graduations, Mother's and Father's Day, and end-of-season banquets, then November and December for holiday gifting. Fall senior nights sit between them.
How far ahead should a team order be planned?+
Three weeks. Collecting one usable photo per player is the slow part, not the design — the team card order planner walks through the whole sequence.
How much does a custom card cost?+
A Display Card is $25 and a 10-card Card Pack is $50. Designing is free, so you can build one at any point and decide later.